Domino structure and domino structure system

ABSTRACT

The present application discloses a domino structure system comprising a track, a plurality of rods, a plurality of dominoes, a plurality of stoppers and at least one stand. The track comprises a left rail and a right rail. Each of the rods is coupled to the left rail at rate end and to the right ail at another end. The plurality of dominoes is rotatably coupled to the plurality of rods. The plurality of stoppers is capable of stopping the plurality of dominoes when the plurality of dominoes is perpendicular to the track. The at least one stand comprises a base, a column and a supporter, the column is coupled to the base, the supporter is coupled to the column, wherein the supporter is capable of supporting the track. A domino structure is also disclosed.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application generally relate, to games, and more particularly, to a domino structure and a domino structure system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the player should place each domino in specific locations for a desired design. However, every dominoes may fall down when accidentally touching one of them. At this moment, the player need to replace every dominoes again. This process always makes the player be frustrated.

Therefore, a need remains for a domino structure and a domino structure system to provide a faster and more effective way for placing dominoes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application discloses a domino structure and a domino structure system to provide a faster and more effective may for placing dominoes.

A domino structure comprises a track, a plurality of rods, a plurality of dominoes and a plurality of stoppers. The track comprises a left rail and a right rail. Each of the rods is coupled to the left rail at one end and to the right rail at another end. The plurality of dominoes is rotatably coupled to the plurality of rods. The plurality of stoppers is capable of stopping the plurality of dominoes when the plurality of dominoes is perpendicular to the track.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the domino structure, the track further comprises a top rail and a bottom rail, the left rail is coupled to the top rail at one end and to the bottom rail at another end, the right rail is coupled to the top rail at one end and to the bottom rail at another end.

According to the other exemplary embodiment, each of the stoppers is a pair of tabs, the pair of tabs is coupled to the left rail and the right rail correspondingly.

According to the other exemplary embodiment, the domino structure further comprises at least one stand comprising a base, a column and a supporter, the column is coupled to the base, the supporter is coupled to the column, wherein the supporter is capable of supporting the track. A height of the column is adjustable. The column comprises a plurality of poles.

According to the other exemplary embodiment, the domino structure further comprises at least one stand comprising a base, a column and a supporter, the column is coupled to the base, the supporter is coupled to the column, wherein the supporter is capable of supporting the track. The left rail comprises a first left portion, a second left portion and a third left portion, the right rail comprises a first right portion, a second right portion and a third right portion, the first left portion and the first right portion form a first plane, the second left portion and the second right portion form a second plane, the third left portion and the third right portion form a third plane, the first plane and the third plane are parallel, the second plane is located between the first plane and the third plane as an inclined plane, wherein the stand is capable of supporting the third left portion and the third right portion.

According to the other exemplary embodiment, the track is turned toward left or right. The left rail comprises a first left portion, a second left portion and a third left portion, the first left portion and the third left portion are perpendicular, the second left portion is coupled between the first left portion and the third left portion. The right rail comprises a first right portion, a second right portion and a third right portion, the first right portion and the third right portion are perpendicular, the second right portion is coupled between the first right portion and the third right portion.

According to the other exemplary embodiment, each of the dominoes comprises at least one rounded edge.

The present application also discloses a domino structure system comprising a track, a plurality of rods, a plurality of dominoes, a plurality of stoppers and at least one stand. The track comprises a left rail and a right rail. Each of the rods is coupled to the left rail at one end and to the right rail at another end. The plurality of dominoes is rotatably coupled to the plurality of rods. The plurality of stoppers is capable of stopping the plurality of dominoes when the plurality of dominoes is perpendicular to the track. The at east one stand comprises a base, a column and a supporter, the column is coupled to the base, the supporter is coupled to the column, wherein the supporter is capable of supporting the track.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the domino structure system, the track further comprises a top rail and a bottom rail, the left rail is coupled to the top rail at one end and to the bottom rail at another end, the right rail is coupled to the top rail at one end and to the bottom rail at another end.

According to the other exemplary embodiment, each of the stoppers is a pair of tabs, the pair of tabs is coupled to the left rail and the right rail correspondingly.

According to the other exemplary embodiment, a height of the column is adjustable. The column comprises a plurality of poles.

According to the other exemplary embodiment, the left rail comprises a first left portion, a second left portion and a third left portion, the right rail comprises a first right portion, a second right portion and a third right portion, the first left portion and the first right portion form a first plane, the second left portion and the second right portion form a second plane, the third left portion and the third right portion form a third plane, the first plane and the third plane are parallel, the second plane is located between the first plane and the third plane as an inclined plane. The stand is capable of supporting the third left portion and the third right portion.

According to the other exemplary embodiment, the track is turned toward left or right. The left rail comprises a first left portion, a second left portion and a third left portion, the first left portion and the third left portion are perpendicular, the second left portion is coupled between the first left portion and the third left portion. The right rail comprises a first right portion, a second right portion and a third right portion, the first right portion and the third right portion are perpendicular, the second right portion is coupled between the first right portion and the third right portion.

Based on the above, the present application allows the player to place dominoes in a faster and more effective way by designing the track with the stoppers coupled thereon. Therefore, the stoppers can work as blockers when placing the domino structure slantwise, making the dominoes rotate about the rods but are stopped by the stoppers. In addition, the adjustable stand may also support the domino structure, allowing the player to set up a desired design not only with 2D plane but also with 3D configuration by placing the slope-shaped domino structure.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present application will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of disclosed embodiments, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the present application will be more readily appreciated upon reference to the following disclosure when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to identify identical components in the various views, and wherein reference numerals with alphabetic characters are utilized to identify additional types, instantiations or variations of a selected component embodiment in the various views, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a domino structure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a domino and a rod of the domino structure.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing the first embodiment of the domino structure.

FIGS. 4A.-4B show a way for standing dominoes.

FIG. 5A is a top view showing a second embodiment of the domino structure.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the domino structure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the domino structure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a fifth embodiment of the domino structure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing multiple stands of a domino structure system.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view shoving the domino structure system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present representative embodiments of the present application, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a domino structure 100. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a domino 50 and a rod 160 the domino structure 100. FIG. 3 is a top view showing the first embodiment of the domino structure 100.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the domino structure 100 comprises a track 10 a, a plurality of rods 160, a plurality of dominoes 50 and a plurality of stoppers 170. The track 10 a comprises a left rail 110, a right rail 120, a bottom rail 130 and a top rail 140. The left rail 110 is coupled to the top rail 140 at one end and to the bottom rail 130 at another end. The right rail 120 is coupled to the top rail 140 at one end and to the bottom rail 130 at another end.

The rods 160 are coupled to the left rail 110 and right rail 120. Specifically, FIG. 2 shows a view with only one domino 50 and rod 160. The domino 50 comprises a hole (not shown). The rod 160 is located inside the hole, making the domino 50 rotate about the rod 160.

In addition, referring to FIG. 2, each of the dominoes 50 comprises at least one rounded edge 52. Specifically, the rods 160 have been inserted into the left rail 110 and the right rail 120 and raised from the ground level, enabling the dominoes 50 to rotate. Since the rods 160 works as the axis of the corresponding domino 50, the edge of the domino 50 to the opposite side of the rods 160 must be rounded for rotating along the specific direction D1.

The stoppers 170 are coupled to the track 10 a. Specifically, each of the stoppers 170 is a pair of tabs coupled to the left rail 110 and the right rail 120 correspondingly. It should be noted that although the tabs shown in FIG. 3 are all the same, the tabs may also be different shape, width or length.

Furthermore, the stoppers 170 may also be other kind of stoppers such as a stick coupled to the left rail 110 and the right rail 120. In addition, the location of the stoppers 170 is not limited either. For example, although FIG. 1 shows a top surface of the stopper 170 is almost at the same plane as a top surface of the right rail 120, the stoppers 170 may also be located in different places as long as the stoppers 170 can stop the dominoes 50 when the dominoes 50 are perpendicular to the tract 10 a. It should be noted hat the amount of dominoes 50 of each domino structure 100 is not limited.

FIGS. 4A-4B show a way for standing dominoes 50.

FIG. 4A illustrates a view with the dominoes 50 fallen down. Specifically, the dominoes 50 are fallen down toward the direction opposite to the corresponding stoppers 170 since the stoppers 170 may stop the corresponding dominoes 50 from being pushed down.

Referring to FIG. 4B, when a player wants to re-stand up the dominoes 50, he/she only needs to tilt the domino structure 100. Therefore, the dominoes 50 may rotate about the rods 160 (referring to FIG. 2) but be stopped by the stoppers 170. After that, the player may put the domino structure 100 at a desired place with the dominoes 50 already being stood up.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of a domino structure 200. FIG. 5B is a top view showing a third embodiment of a domino structure 300.

FIG. 5A illustrates a view with the right-turned domino structure 200. The main difference between the domino structure 100 (referring to FIG. 1) and the domino structure 200 is a track 10 b of the domino structure 200. Specifically, the track 10 b comprises a left rail 210, a right rail 220, a bottom rail 230 and a top mil 240. The left rail 210 comprises a first left portion 212, a second left portion 214 and a third left portion 216. The first left portion 212 and the third left portion 216 are perpendicular. The second left portion 214 is coupled between, the first left portion 212 and the third left portion 216. However, the present application is not limited thereto. The angle between the first left portion 212 and the third left portion 216 may be different.

The right rail 220 comprises a first right portion 222, a second right portion 224 and a third right portion 226. The first right portion 222 and the third right portion 226 are perpendicular. The second right portion 224 is coupled between the first right portion 222 and the third right portion 226. However, the present application is not limited thereto. The angle between the first right portion 222 and the third right portion 226 may be different.

The domino structure 200 of present application comprises one domino 50 at each portion. For example, only one domino 50 is coupled to the first left portion 212 and the first right portion 222; only one domino 50 is coupled to the second left portion 214 and the second right portion 224; only one domino 50 is coupled to the third left portion 216 and the third right portion 226. However, the present application is not limited thereto, multiple dominoes 50 may also be coupled at each portion.

In addition, the first left portion 212 is parallel to the first right portion 222; the second left portion 214 is parallel to the second right portion 224; the third left portion 216 is parallel to the third right portion 226. However, the present application is not limited, left portion and right portion may not be parallel so that the player can have more various design since the size and shape of domino 50 can be different.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the dominoes 50 may be fallen down after pushing the domino 50 from the specific direction F1.

FIG. 5B illustrates a view with the left-turned domino structure 300. The difference between the domino structure 200 and the domino structure 300 is the falling direction of the dominoes 50. Specifically, the domino structure 200 is right-turned but the domino structure 300 is left-turned. As shown in FIG. 5B, the domino structure 300 comprises a track 10 c. The track 10 c comprises a left-turned left rail 310, a left-turned right rail 320, a bottom rail 330 and a top rail 340. The dominoes 50 may be fallen down after pushing the domino 50 from the specific direction F2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of a domino structure 400. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a fifth embodiment of a domino structure 500.

FIG. 6 illustrates a view with the uphill domino structure 400. The main difference between the domino structure 100 (referring to FIG. 1) and the domino structure 400 is a track 10 d of the domino structure 300. Specifically, the track 10 d comprises a left rail 410, a right rail 420, a bottom rail 430 and a top rail 440. The left rail 410 comprises a first left portion 412 a second left portion 414 and a third left portion 416. The right rail 420 comprises a first right portion 422, a second right portion 424 and a third right portion 426.

The first left portion 412 and the first right portion 422 form a first plane P1. The second left portion 414 and the second right portion 424 form second second plane P2. The third left portion 416 and the third right portion 426 form a third plane P3. The first plane P1 and the third plane P3 are parallel. The second plane P2 is located between the first plane P1 and the third plane P3 as an inclined plane. Specifically, the third plane P3 is higher than the first plane P1 when the dominoes 50 are stood up and faced up.

Each domino 50 comprises a front surface 50 a and a rear surface 50 b. The front surface 50 a faces the top rail 440 while the rear surface 50 b faces the bottom rail 430. The stoppers 170 of the corresponding domino 50 are attached to the rear surface 50 b while the domino 50 is stood up. Therefore, the dominoes 50 will not fall down toward the bottom rail 430 since the stopper 170 may stop the domino 50. However, the dominoes 50 will be pushed down toward the top rail 440 after pushing the domino 50 from the specific direction F3.

FIG. 7 illustrates, a view with the downhill domino structure 500. The difference between the domino structure 400 (referring to FIG. 6) and the domino structure 500 is the falling direction of the dominoes 50. As shown in FIG. 7, the domino structure 500 comprises a track 10 e. The track 10 e comprises a left rail 510, a right rail 520, a bottom rail 530 and a top rail 540. The left rail 510 comprises a first left portion 512, a second left portion 514 and a third left portion 516. The right rail 520 comprises a first right portion 522, a second right portion 524 and a third right portion 526.

The first left portion 512 and the first right portion 522 form a first plane P4. The second left portion 514 and the second right portion 524 form a second plane P5. The third left portion 516 and the third right portion 526 form a third plane P6. The first plane P4 and the third plane P6 are parallel. The second plane P5 is located between the first plane P4 and the third plane P6 as an inclined plane. Specifically, the first plane P4 is higher than the third plane P6 when the dominoes 5 are stood up.

Each domino 50 comprises a front surface 50 a and a rear surface 50 b. The front surface 50 a faces the top rail 540 while the rear surface 50 b faces the bottom rail 530. The stoppers 170 (not shown due to perspective) of the corresponding domino 50 are attached to the rear surface 50 b while the domino 50 is stood up. Therefore, the dominoes 50 will not fall down toward the bottom rail 530 since the stopper 170 (not shown due to perspective) may stop the domino 50. However, the dominoes 50 will be pushed down toward the top rail 540 after pushing the domino 50 from the specific direction F4.

Referring to FIGS. 6-7, the first left portion 412/512 is parallel to the first right portion 422/522 correspondingly; the second left portion 414/514 is parallel to the second right portion 424/524; the third left portion 416/516 is parallel to the third right portion 426/526. However, the present application is not limited, left portion and right portion may not be parallel so that player can have more various design since the size and shape of domino 50 can be different.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing multiple stands 800 a/800 b of a domino structure system 900. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the domino structure system 900.

Referring to FIGS. 8-9, the stand 800 a/800 b comprises a base 810, a column 820 and a supporter 830. The column 820 is coupled to the base 810. The supporter 830 is coupled to the column 820. The supporter 830 is capable of supporting the hack 10 a/10 b/10 c/10 d/10 e (referring to FIGS. 1-7).

A height of the column 820 is adjustable. Specifically, the column 820 may comprise multiple poles. For example, the stand 800 a only comprises one pole 822 while five stand 800 b comprises two poles 822/824. The pole 822/824 is hollow and comprises a connecting head 821/823. The connecting head 821 is capable of being installed into the base 810, while the connecting head 823 is capable of being installed into the connecting head 822. In addition, although FIGS. 8-9 are now shown, the stand of present application may comprise more than two poles, the present application is not limited thereto. As shown in FIGS. 8-9, the domino structures 400 and the domino structures 500 can be positioned in a desired height stably by utilizing the adjustable stand 800 a/800 b.

It should be noted that the stand of the present application is not only can be used for the domino structure 400 and the domino structure 500, the stand may also be utilized for other domino structures such as the domino structure 100/200/300.

Each component of the domino structure system may be made of plastic and be printed by 3D printer. However, the present application is not limited, the domino structure system may also be made of other materials such as wood.

Based on the above, the present application allows the player to place dominoes in a faster and more effective way by designing the track with the stoppers coupled thereon. Therefore, the stoppers can work as blockers when placing the domino structure slantwise, making the dominoes rotate about the rods but are stopped by the stoppers. In addition, the adjustable stand may also support the domino structure, allowing the player to set up a desired design not only with 2D plane but also with 3D configuration by placing the slope-shaped domino structure.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present application without departing from the scope or spirit of the present application. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present application cover modifications and variations of this application provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. A domino structure, comprising: a track comprising a left rail and a right rail; a plurality of rods, each of the rods is coupled to the left rail at one end and to the right rail at another end; a plurality of dominoes rotatably coupled to the plurality of rods; and a plurality of stoppers, wherein the plurality of stoppers is capable of stopping the plurality of dominoes when the plurality of dominoes is perpendicular to the track.
 2. The domino structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the track further comprises a top rail and a bottom rail, the left rail is coupled to the top rail at one end and to the bottom rail at another end, the right rail is coupled to the top rail at one end and to the bottom rail at another end.
 3. The domino structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the stoppers is a pair of tabs, the pair of tabs is coupled to the left rail and the right rail correspondingly.
 4. The domino structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: at least one stand comprising a base, a column and a supporter, the column is coupled to the base, the supporter is coupled to the column, wherein the supporter is capable of supporting the track.
 5. The domino structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein a height of the column is adjustable.
 6. The domino structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the column comprises a plurality of poles.
 7. The domino structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the left rail comprises a first left portion, a second left portion and a third left portion, the right rail comprises a first right portion, a second right portion and a third right portion, the first left portion and the first right portion form a first plane, the second left portion and the second right portion form a second plane, the third left portion and the third right portion form a third plane, the first plane and the third plane are parallel, the second plane is located between the first plane and the third plane as an inclined plane, wherein the stand is capable of supporting the third left portion and the third right portion,
 8. The domino structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the track is turned toward left or right.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The domino structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the left rail comprises a first left portion, a second left portion and a third left portion, the first left portion and the third left portion are perpendicular, the second left portion is coupled between the first left portion and the third left portion, the right rail comprises a first right portion, a second right portion and a third right portion, the first right portion and the third right portion are perpendicular, the second right portion is coupled between the first right portion and the third right portion.
 11. The domino structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the dominoes comprises at least one rounded edge.
 12. A domino structure system comprising: a track comprising a left rail and a right rail; a plurality of rods, each of the rods is coupled to the left rail at one end and to the right rail at another end; a plurality of dominoes rotatably coupled to the plurality of rods; a plurality of stoppers, wherein the plurality of stoppers is capable of stopping the plurality of dominoes when the plurality of dominoes is perpendicular to the track; and at least one stand comprising a base, a column and a supporter, the column is coupled to the base, the supporter is coupled to the column, wherein the supporter is capable of supporting the track.
 13. The domino structure system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the track further comprises a top rail and a bottom rail, the left rail is coupled to the to rail at one end and to the bottom rail at another end, the right rail is coupled to the top rail at one end and to the bottom rail at another end.
 14. The domino structure system as claimed in claim 12, wherein each of the stoppers is a pair of tabs, the pair of tabs is coupled to the left rail and the right rail correspondingly.
 15. The domino structure system as claimed in claim 12, wherein a height of the column is adjustable.
 16. The domino structure system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the column comprises a plurality of poles.
 17. The domino structure system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the left rail comprises a first left portion, a second left portion and a third left portion, the right rail comprises a first right portion, a second right portion and a third right portion, the first left portion and the first right portion form a first plane, the second left portion and the second right portion form a second plane, the third left portion and the third right portion form a third plane, the first plane and the third plane are parallel, the second plane is located between the first plane and the third plane as an inclined plane, wherein the stand is capable of supporting the third left portion and the third right portion.
 18. The domino structure system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the track is turned toward left or right.
 19. (canceled)
 20. The domino structure system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the left rail comprises a first left portion, a second left portion and a third left portion, the first left portion and the third left portion are perpendicular, the second left portion is coupled between the first left portion and the third left portion, the right rail comprises a first right portion, a second right portion and a third right portion, the first right portion and the third right portion are perpendicular, the second right portion is coupled between the first right portion and the third right portion. 